Looking for a job can feel overwhelming because there’s a lot involved. For starters, you need a strong resume that communicates your knowledge, skills and abilities. You also need a strong cover letter. While not all hiring managers will read the cover letter, some find it unacceptable to send a resume without one. You want to err on the side of caution by providing a great cover letter just in case it’s read.

One of the many benefits of a strong cover letter is that it’s more personable than a resume and gives you a chance to demonstrate your personality. It’s important for you to know that cover letters have changed over the years. Below are the different elements and how they have evolved.

Decades ago, cover letters were a lot different. They were quite lengthy because the standard back then was to provide a detailed overview of your career. It also provided information about your credentials and education. Generally, a cover letter before around year 2000 was about two pages in length. Things have changed.

Today, a cover letter should not be all encompassing because the hiring manager is likely to feel like you’re wasting their time. Instead, it should get to the point of why you’re sending the letter. Language should be chosen with a focus on why you should even be considered for the position. Although opinions about many aspects of a cover letter vary, most hiring mangers would agree that it should not be longer than one page.

Back in the day, a cover letter provided a significant amount of information about the candidate’s professional and personal qualities. It was often somewhat boastful in the way it communicated how the applicant was qualified for the job. While there are similar elements in a modern cover letter, it’s different in that the language used should focus on how you can add value to the company. In fact, it’s best if you demonstrate how you have added value in other positions held.

There is some language used in all business letters that has become stale and the same applies to cover letters. Specifically, the standard language about hoping to hear from the employer is usually of no consequence. In other words, it’s used by everyone and doesn't make your letter stand out in any way because it’s a passive statement.

Today, it’s better to use bold language that demonstrates confidence in your abilities. You can use a conclusion that welcomes the reader to contact you and offers a chance to discuss the value that you can add to the position and the company. A strong call to action is more likely to get a response than a hopeful statement that lacks confidence.

There’s no mistaking that cover letters are about self-promotion. They have been and probably always will be. After all, you’re selling what you bring to the table and you must do that effectively.